Two decades ago, Derek Duncan was a standout quarterback for the Montgomery County Wildcats, setting state records in passing yards and career completions, earning all-state honors twice and helping his team win district and conference titles in his senior year.

All of those accomplishments helped Duncan earn a big honor. He became the second MCHS football player to be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. He was honored at the ceremony at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia on Oct. 20.

Duncan was part of the Elite 11 group, which includes former all-state athletes and standouts from Missouri high schools and colleges. The other members inducted into that group were Steve Bohlken, Brian Clayton, Chuck Cole, Ian Gilworth, Ethan Harris, Greg Hill, Aaron O’Laughlin, Chase Patton and Salem “Bubba” Stutzer.

“I learned that there have been only 110 people in the history of high school football who have been inducted into that class,” Duncan said. I’m one of only two who have come from Montgomery (who were inducted to the Hall of Fame). Honestly, all I wanted to be and do growing up was a Montgomery County quarterback. I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s true. Growing up in that community and watching those guys, I thought the world of them. Here I am 21 years later.”

Duncan graduated from MCHS in 2003. He became Missouri’s all-time leader in passing yards with 7,591 and tossed 84 touchdown passes and a state-record 550 career completions.

Duncan credits two of his wide receivers for his success – Aaron “Stuffy” Morton and Justin Graves. Both were all-state performers.

“I had so many incredible memories and it was so surreal getting to sit there with those two guys who were lifelong friends,” Duncan said. “I couldn’t help but smile think all of that hard work and all of those moments and trying to be the best representative I could for the community that I love so much.”

This year’s Hall of Fame class also included former Mizzou quarterback Chase Daniel and former ESPN SportsCenter anchor John Anderson.
Eric Czerniewski was the last MCHS player to be inducted in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, earning his honor in 2020. Duncan said he found out he got nominated for the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame from a phone call with a member of the selection committee.

“It was truly based on merit,” Duncan said. “That phone call was a very exciting phone call to get. They dug up a bunch of stats that I didn’t know.”

Also during his high school career, Duncan participated in the Down Under Bowl in Australia as a member of Team Missouri and threw four TD passes – three against Idaho-Wyoming and one against Texas. He held eight state records and was in the top 10 in 20 other categories.

“I can say with 110 percent conviction I gave Montgomery County, those men I played with and those coaches I played for my absolute 100 percent best effort,” said Duncan, who also played basketball and baseball at MCHS. “I left nothing in the gas tank. I left it all out on the field and in the weight room and throwing room.”

Duncan went on to continue his football career at Westminster College in Fulton before breaking his throwing arm that ended his career.

“I think I would have had a really good college career, but injuries cut it short, so I didn’t get to finish that,” Duncan said.

Duncan currently works as a partner and senior vice president of employee benefits at USI, a benefit consulting brokerage firm in St. Louis. He worked two years in Boston, Mass., before returning to the St. Louis area in 2012.